9 & 11 AM WORSHIP
April 14, 2024
Staff Emails are typically first initial 
then last name @asburyfirst.org. 
(ex. tanderson@asburyfirst.org) Rev. Ted Anderson — 
Interim Senior Minister, x125 Rev. Kathy Thiel — Minister 
for Congregational Care, x106 Rev. Patrick Dupont — 
Minister for Outreach, x136 Mike Mullin — Minister 
for Discipleship and Youth, x105 *Rev. Rachel Dupont — Minister for 
for Christian Formation and Director of the Discipleship Project, x113 Dr. Carl Johengen — 
Director of Music Ministry, x134 Duane Prill — Principal Organist, x100 Paula Dugan — Director of Hospitality and Children’s Ministry, x111 Holly Temming — Children's Music 
& Ministry; Revenue & Payroll Specialist, x114 David Strong — Church Admin.; Assistant Organist, x110 Deb Bullock-Smith — Office 
and Data Manager, x117 John Ormsbee — 
Director of Finance, x107 Lori Young — Director of Property Care, x122 David Stith — Director of Communications, x109 *Ly Tran — Communications Assistant, x108 *indicates part-time status
Asbury First United Methodist Church 1050 East Ave, Rochester NY 14607 (585) 271-1050 Asburyfirst.org
FIRST TIME HERE We are so glad you are joining us, whether in person 
or online. Please sign in on the red fellowship pad and pass it down your pew. Our hope is to get to know you better and help you find your place within our community. You can also drop us an email at info@asburyfirst.org. If you’re out there watching, check in through the website to let us know you’re worshiping with us. Take a picture and post it on social media using #asburyfirstathome. ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL Large print bulletins and hymnals are available from the ushers. A hearing loop is available for those who have hearing aids with T switches, and you may also request earphones from the ushers to aid you in hearing the service. The screens located toward the back of the sanctuary now display the service stream to aid in visibility. Please help us welcome differently-abled worshipers and visitors. For example, please respect our visually-impaired members by not interacting with or distracting their working guide dogs. Need prayer? We invite you to share with us how we can be praying for you by emailing prayers@asburyfirst.org or by filling out one of our prayer cards found in the pews. All prayer requests are prayed over by our Ministers and Intercessory Prayer Team. Children We believe children are a sacred gift, and they are welcome in our worship. Children will be invited forward during worship for a Children’s Time. Following this, children age 4 through 5th grade are invited to go with our children’s educators for Sunday School or return to their caretaker for the remainder of the service. RECONCILING STATEMENT We are a reconciling congregation and seek to be a fully inclusive church, believing that all people are God’s children. Our full statement can be read at asburyfirst.org/about-us/#reconciling-statement. GIVE TO ASBURY FIRST Your generous gifts supports our everyday ministries and operations, allowing us to live into our vision to Do More Good. Cash/Check—We welcome you to send a gift of cash/check in the mail 
 or place your gift in the offering plate as it is passed to you. Text to Give—You may give a gift with a debit/credit card by texting the dollar 
 amount to 206-222-1050.
Online—Online giving is available on our website at asburyfirst.org/give. 
Venmo—You may give a gift through Venmo by finding 
“@givingasburyfirst†or by scanning the QR code to the right. Watch and listen The livestream of the 11 am service can 
be viewed at asburyfirst.org/live-stream. Listen live on WRFZ 106.3 FM Rochester Free Radio, or call our toll-free number at 833-829-1050. 
Our video archive of past services is at asburyfirst.org/archive.
* please stand as you are able
Prelude

Partita on “Duke Street†— Charles Callahan
Introit
Why art thou then cast down, my soul? What should discourage thee? And why with vexing thoughts art thou disquieted in me? Still trust in God; for him to praise good cause I yet shall have: He of my countenance the health, my God that doth me save. Amen. (Words: Psalm 43:5, Scottish Psalter; Tune: Invocation, Robert Archibald Smith, 1780-1829)
*Call to Worship


All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the reader will read the unbolded type.

God our Creator, in your love you welcome us as your children. Hear us, your children, as we come before you in worship. Jesus, our risen Master, in our weakness and confusion you call us and teach us. Meet us, your friends, as we come to hear your word. Spirit, Living One, in chaos and darkness you breathe life into us. Transform us, your people, as we open our minds and hearts to you.
*Processional Hymn
“Christ Is Risen While Earth Slumbersâ€â€¨â€¨This hymn can be found on the following page

11 am • April 14, 2024
The community gathers As the community gathers, the music of the prelude draws our hearts and minds to God.
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Third Sunday of Easter
11 am
"Christ Is Risen While Earth Slumbers"
*Greeting and Passing 
of the Peace
*Gathering Hymn
#304 “Easter People, Raise Your Voicesâ€, vv. 1, 2
Prayer of Confession

Beloved, we are God’s children now, but what we will be in the fullness of our time has not been revealed. Let us consider how Jesus was revealed among us, and pray to be more like Christ in every way.
 Jesus embodied the unconditional love of God. May we be more like Jesus. Jesus fed those who were hungry. May we be more like Jesus. Jesus drew near to those living on the margins and excluded. May we be more like Jesus. Jesus brought healing and wholeness to those in need. May we be more like Jesus. Jesus hungered and thirsted for righteousness. May we be more like Jesus.
Silent Confession
Words of Assurance
Beloved, through the love shown to us by Jesus, we can be sure that we are God’s children now. We are becoming more and more like Christ each day. Therefore, let us live joyfully as God’s people. We give thanks for the redeeming love of God. Alleluia!
*Gloria
Hymnal #102, v. 3 alt.
All glory be to God, all praise and thanks be given; Whose Son and Spirit reign as one in highest Heaven; Our one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
Minute for Mission
Miracle Garden — Elizabeth Church
To hear the word
Scripture
Luke 24:36b-48
While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.†They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.†And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. Yet for all their joy they were still disbelieving and wondering, and he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?†They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.†Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. 
The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God.
Anthem
Sanctuary Choir
“I Got Me Flowers†— Dan Burton; words by George Herbert (1593-1633) 
I got me flowers to strew thy way; I got me boughs off many a tree: But thou wast up by break of day, And brought’st thy sweets along with thee. 
The Sun arising in the East, Though he give light, and the East perfume; If they should offer to contest With thy arising, they presume. 
Can there be any day but this, Though many suns to shine endeavor? We count three hundred, but we miss: There is but one, and that one ever. Alleluia!
Children’s Time

Children of all ages are invited to join us in this special moment.
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, 
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. 
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
*Hymn
#175 "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee"
Sermon
changed hearts and minds
Call to Prayer
God, our Creator, hear our prayer, and bless all souls that wait before thee. (Music: Felix Mendelssohn)
Pastoral Prayer
*Doxology
Hymnal #94
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! 
Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
9 & 11 am
Offertory
Dan McInerney, Soloist

“Change Our Hearts†— words and music by Rory Cooney (Refrain) Change our hearts this time, your word says it can be. Change our minds this time, your life could make us free. We are the people your call set apart, Lord, this time change our hearts 
Brought by your hand to the edge of our dreams – one foot in paradise, one in the waste – drawn by your promises, still we are lured by the shadows and the chains we leave behind. (Refrain) 
Show us the way that leads to your side, over the mountains and sands of the soul. Be for us manna, water from the stone, light which says we never walk alone. (Refrain)
Introduction to
Discipleship,
Membership,
and Commitment
We are delighted you have joined us and ask that you sign and pass the ritual 
of friendship pad from the center aisle down the pew. We invite you to prayerfully consider making a gift to support the everyday ministries and operations of this church, allowing us to live into our vision to Do More Good. There are multiple ways 
to make a gift to Asbury First: Cash/Check—We welcome you to give a gift of cash or check by placing it in 
 the offering plate as it is passed to you. You may also send a check in the mail 
 to Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave, Rochester NY, 14607. Text to Give—You may give a gift with a debit/credit card by texting the dollar
 amount to 206-222-1050.
Online—Online giving is available on our website at asburyfirst.org/give.
Venmo—You may give a gift through Venmo by finding 
 “@givingasburyfirst†or by scanning the QR code to the right.
To Renew Commitment
“I Got Me Flowers†© 2016 St. James Music Press; “Change Our Hearts†© 1984 North American Liturgy Resources/Oregon Catholic Press;
"Christ Has Risen While Earth Slumbers" words © 1988 Wild Goose Resource Group, The Iona Community, admin. by GIA Publications, Inc.; Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Some of the liturgical elements have been adapted from Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Illustration Credits: Designed by David Stith and Ly Tran
*Prayer of Dedication
Loving Creator, we present our offerings, reminded of the profound love with which you have called us your children. May these offerings we bring today be a reflection of our love for you and our desire to be faithful stewards of your blessings. Amen.
Permissions:
*Closing Hymn
#315 "Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain", vv. 1, 2, 4, 5


*Benediction
*Benediction Response
Amen. (Lani Smith)
Postlude
Fanfare on “Duke Street†— Walter L. Pelz
Participants In the Service

Preacher: Rev. Ted Anderson Liturgists: Rev. Kathy Thiel, Rev. Rachel Dupont, Rev. Pat Dupont, Mike Mullin Reader: Beth Rice
Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: Duane Prill Sanctuary Choir Section Leaders: Gwen Paker, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Head Ushers: Brian White, Dennis Roote
Production Director: Kenny Bailey Production Suite Team: Rick Church, Preston Loughney, Randy Davis Technology Support Team: Dave Rice, Kenny Bailey, Dave Berg, Larry Dugan, Deb Bullock-Smith Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
To Disperse in Mission
Prelude
*Call to Worship

*Opening Hymn
*Welcome & Passing 
of the Peace
#175 "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee", vv. 1, 2
Invitation, Announcements
Scripture
Luke 24:36b-48 (found on p. 6)
Prayer
#315 "Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain", vv. 1, 2, 5


9 am • April 14, 2024
Worship Leaders
Preacher: Rev. Ted Anderson Reader: Carol Roote
Liturgist: Rev. Kathy Thiel Organist: David Strong

Do you love perusing books? Do you love a cozy place to sit? Would you love a quiet place to catch up with a friend after the service? The Asbury First library is a perfect place for all these activities, located just around the corner from the Gathering Center in the Education Wing. This week the bibliocart will focus on Lent, Easter and Women’s History.
ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altars are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Ruth’s father, Harry Howitt, by Ruth and David VanDerLinden; in loving memory of Donna V. Wright, Donna B. Steele and Winthrop Steele by Martha, Andrew and Alex Hunt; in loving memory of Marie Andres by her son John Andres; and in loving memory of Al Froelicher by his wife Betty and family. If you would like to place flowers on the altar, please contact Jeanne Ristau at 585-223-4356, preferably two weeks ahead of requested date. 
Prayers and Concerns We offer our prayers and concerns 
for all those who are ill at home, hospitalized, or in hospice care. We offer our prayers and concerns for Donna Harrington following the death of her mother on March 24. We offer our prayers and concerns for the family and friends of Lucille "Lucy" Reeder, who died on April 6. We offer our prayers and concerns for the friends and family of Wayne Turnblom, who died on December 27. 
A memorial service will be held at Asbury First at 2 pm, Saturday, April 20.
Celebrations and concerns
Are you interested in taking the next step in your faith journey, finding your place in the life of Asbury First, or are just in need 
of a deeper connection? Scan the QR code, visit asburyfirst.org/
help-me-connect, or call the office at (585) 271-1050 to connect.
Help Me Connect
THE ASBURY FIRST LIBRARY & BIBLIOCART
For a full list of events with links, visit our online calendar at asburyfirst.org/events or call the church office at 585-271-1050
Meetings & Rehearsals April 14 – April 21

Sunday 9 am Worship Service — 1040 Gathering Center 9 am Spiritual Perspectives Class — 1050 Teak Room 9:30 am Asbury Orchestra Rehearsal — 1040 Wesley Hall 9:45 am Childcare - available until noon — 1040 Education Wing 9:45 am Adult Sunday School — 1040 Fellowship Hall 
 9:45 am As the Spirit Moves Us — 1040 LL03 (lower level) and Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) 11 am Worship Service - In-Person and Livestream 11:15 am Children's Sunday School (Ages 4–5th grade)
 — 1040 Education Wing 12 pm Lunch — 1010 COC Dining & Caring Center
 2 pm Oliver! Rehearsal — 1040 Wesley Hall Monday 9 am Monday Morning Crew — 1040 9 am Library Work Day — 1040 Library Tuesday 8:30 am Lectio Divina — Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 9:30 am Tuesday Morning Women's Fellowship
 — Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 12:30 pm Asbury Art Class — 1040 Room 205 (Bell Room) 2:30 pm Disciple III Bible Studies
 — Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) 3 pm Gentle Yoga — 1040 Gathering Center, 
 $10 pay at the door 5:30 pm Oliver! Rehearsal — 1040 Wesley Hall Wednesday 7 am Breakfast — 1010 COC Dining & Caring Center 7 am Men’s Fellowship Group
 — Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) (Wednesday Continued) 10 am Wednesday Morning Study Group — 1010 COC Red Room and Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 6 pm Children's Musical Rehearsal — Sanctuary 6 pm United Methodism 101 — 1040 Fellowship Hall and Zoom (zoom.us/j/8347173468) 6:30 pm Asbury Ringers — 1040 Room 205 7:30 pm Oliver! Rehearsal — Sanctuary 7:30 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal — 1040 Wesley Hall Thursday 7 am Breakfast — 1010 COC Dining & Caring Center 8:30 am Spiritual Perspectives Class — 1040 LL03 (lower level) and Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) 5:30 pm Oliver! Rehearsal — 1040 Sanctuary 6 pm UR Well Clinic — 1010 COC FRIDAY 7 am Breakfast — 1010 COC Dining & Caring Center 9:30 am Disciple IV Bible Studies
 — Zoom (zoom.us/j/834717 3468) 
NEXT Sunday (4/21) 9 am Worship Service — 1040 Gathering Center 9 am Spiritual Perspectives Class — 1050 Teak Room 9:45 am Childcare — available until noon — 1040 Education Wing 9:45 am Adult Sunday School — 1040 Fellowship Hall 
 9:45 am As the Spirit Moves Us — 1040 LL03 (lower level) and Zoom (zoom.us/j/6174865464) 9:45 am LGBTQ Advocacy Team Meeting — 1040 Youth Room (lower level) 11 am Worship Service In-Person and Livestream 11:15 am Children's Sunday School (Ages 4–5th grade) — 1040 Education Wing 12 pm Lunch — 1010 COC Dining & Caring Center
 2 pm Oliver! Rehearsal — 1040 Sanctuary
NEXT SUNDAY'S SERMON: "Laying Down & Giving Up" by Pat Dupont [John 10:11-18 & 1 John 3:16-24]
April 17 – Rachel teaches about the General Conference (2024 broad strokes legislation overview) 
April 24 & May 1 – Ted provides more UMC background, and Rachel reports back from the center of the action, Charlotte, NC 
May 8 – Rachel returns from the General Conference and will recap key motions May 15 – Ted will lead a Q and A, wrapping up the 7-week course
Join us every Sunday at 9:45 am in Fellowship Hall for informal conversations on 
a variety of subjects! Grab a coffee and join us in Fellowship Hall or on Zoom 
every Sunday at 9:45 am.
 
April 14 - The Rev. Dr. John Tyson to discuss his book Born in Crisis and Shaped by Controversy Volume 1
April 21 - The Rev. Dr. John Tyson to discuss his book Born in Crisis and Shaped by Controversy Volume 2
April 28 - Elizabeth Church and her role as Director of Bell Choirs
May 5 - Highlights from The United Methodist Church General Conference
May 12 - Mother's Day and its birth in Methodism
May 19 - Pentecost
May 26 - No more class as our summer services begin this week All are welcome, contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org for more information.
SCAN HERE FOR ZOOM
The United Methodist Church General Conference is quickly approaching, a crucial junction in the history of the church at which the lessons of the last few decades will be crafted into guidelines for the decades ahead. In anticipation of this momentous occasion, Rachel and Ted will lead us in a 7-week course on the history of the United Methodist Church and what makes this General Conference so important for Asbury First. In the midst of this course, Rachel will attend the General Conference as an elected delegate from our conference, and will report back, as she is able, on the progress being made. Please join us for what promises to be an exciting 7-week course!
United Methodism 101 with Rachel and Ted 6 - 7 pm, Fellowship Hall (1040, lower level) and Zoom
SCAN HERE To read more
 about the upcoming 
General Conference
Upcoming adult sunday school offerings SUNDAYS at 9:45 am in fellowship hall
The Asbury Bicycle Ministry is gearing up for the 2024 season. We repair bikes in the garage on the Asbury campus, Thursday mornings, May through September. If you are interested in participating, please contact Simon Barnett at sjbarnett3@gmail.com.
Do you love perusing books? Do you love a cozy place to sit? Would you love a quiet place to catch up with a friend after the service? The Asbury First library is a perfect place for all these activities, located just around the corner from the Gathering Center in the Education Wing. This week the bibliocart will focus on Earth Day and the wonder of nature around us.
SCAN THE QR CODE TO PURCHASE YOUR GERANIUMS
Have you ever wondered what it is like to help build our community? Literally? Learn, do and serve, all a the same time, with others from Asbury as we join with Habitat for Humanity for two days of construction at a site off Culver Road in Rochester. We have a few more slots available on both May 4 (Sat) and May 17 (Fri). To learn more or sign up, send an email to DAKennedy@frontiernet.net and type I want to work on the subject line. Dave will will send you information including the URL and password to register online directly with Flower City Habitat for Humanity. Everyone 16 and older is eligible to volunteer. Each session runs from 8:45 am to 4 pm. No experience or tools are necessary.
Asbury First Bicycle Ministry
Make your gardens beautiful while supporting the Storehouse! Purchase Geraniums in a rainbow of colors by scanning the QR code or visiting asburyfirst.org/news. We'll have 
4 1/2" pots of red, white, purple sizzle, strawberry sizzle, and salmon geraniums, along with hanging baskets with mixed colors of geraniums. Orders must be received by Sunday, May 5. Pick up your geraniums on Saturday, May 18 from 9:30 am to 12 pm at Asbury First's Community Outreach Center (1010 East Ave). If you have any questions, please email giving@asburyfirst.org, or call Deb Bullock-Smith at 585-271-1050 x117
Habitat for Humanity Work Day
Storehouse Geranium Sale
Are you interested in serving as a Reader at the 9 or 11 am service?
We are expanding the roster of readers, and whether you are new to this ministry or have served in the past, we'd love to hear from you! Our hope is to set up a schedule several months in advance, to allow for flexibility. Training is available! Please contact Rev. Kathy Thiel, kthiel@asburyfirst.org 
or (585) 271-1050 x106. Let us know if you're interested in
the 9 or 11 am service, or both.
Save the date! We know Christmas is still a ways off, but if you're interested in being a vendor at this year's Holiday Craft Bazaar, 
please reserve a spot soon! Contact chrissmithburton@gmail.com 
for more information. November 1, 2024, set-up 5 - 7 pm November 2, 2024, 10 - 4 pm November 3, 2024, 10 - 2 pm
April 7 9:30-10:30 am, Wesley Hall April 14 9:30-10:30 am, Wesley Hall April 21: Gather at 10 am in the Sanctuary to rehearse, for the 
11 am Worship Service
Would you consider volunteering just 2 HOURS per month to the odds-n-ends work of Asbury First? With spring upon us, the community garden is looking for help constructing four new raised beds, as well as help planting and harvesting in the coming months. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays we have need for help with event and meeting set-up, cleaning, and other minor projects. If you're looking to spend a little extra time working alongside other Asbury folks, please contact us at volunteering@asburyfirst.org
Asbury Orchestra Needs You!
note: Thank You to those who shared suggestions like these during our Annual Church Conference in January. We are truly better together!
Asbury Storehouse Holiday Craft Bazaar
Just 2 Hours per Month!
Contact Laurie Kennedy with any questions at cellokennedy@frontiernet.net
Join the Asbury Orchestra as we prepare to play in 
the April 21st worship service. All band and orchestra instrumentalists are welcome! At least two years of playing experience is recommended. Join us for rehearsals on the following dates:
Auditions for this Spring's production of Oliver! are taking place at the following times: Tuesday, January 30 at 6 pm Thursday, February 1 at 6 pm Call-backs are Saturday, February 3 at 1 pm. For questions please contact Larry Dugan at ldugan@asburyfirst.org
reserve your tickets now!
Perfomance dates: MAY 3, 7 pm MAY 4, 7 pm MAY 5, 2 pm
Asbury First Community Theatre presents
Asbury First's Governing Board will conduct Town Hall meetings periodically throughout the year, inviting the congregation to weigh-in 
on a variety of important topics. The first of the sessions will be April 21. Mark your calendar! 
Join us in the Sanctuary or via livestream after the 11 am service for updates on the Senior Minister Search, our Outreach efforts, Asbury's financial landscape, and updates from the Dream Team on new ways we're envisioning the future of Asbury First.
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE
$15 general admission $10 for students
SCAN THE QR CODE TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS
Later this year we will break ground on Asbury First's Columbarium project – a sacred, consecrated outdoor space on the southeastern outer wall of 1040, designed to provide a final resting place for the remains of our loved ones. Instead of buying a plot in a cemetery, 
one can reserve a niche for a pair of urns that will be built into the garden-like columbarium. These niches are available to all, but space is limited 
so reserve yours now. Stop by the Columbarium table in the Welcoming Hall after 
the 11 am service to learn more.
In May, witness the magic of Lionel Bart's timeless musical masterpiece, Oliver! Filled with unforgettable characters, stirring melodies, and poignant storytelling, Oliver! promises an immersive experience for the whole family. Scan the QR code or visit asburyfirst.org/oliver/ 
to reserve your tickets today.
Give Online at www.asburyfirst.org/GIVE, text to give at 206-222-1050, 
OR MAIL IN YOUR CHECKS TO 1050 EAST AVENUE, ROCHESTER, NY 14607
Secure a niche in Asbury First's
ASBURY FIRST TOWN HALL – April 21
*Recessional Hymn